Episode 002: Ray Carr – Tracking Carl Gugasian, FBI’s Most Prolific Bank Robber

Retired agent Ray Carr served twenty-five years with the FBI. During his career Ray served as the Primary Coordinator for the FBI Philadelphia Division, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime and the Philadelphia Hostage Negotiation Team.

In this episode of FBI Retired Case File Review, he reviews his training as a hostage negotiator and profiler in the field and his investigation of Carl Gugasian, one of the most prolific bank robbers ever investigated by the FBI.

The case features hidden bunkers containing stashes of cryptic maps, weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and thousands of dollars in cash. Ray discusses the painstaking and extraordinary steps that led to the discovery of a bank robber who evaded police for 30 years.

Ray Carr was a Certified Police Instructor providing instruction to federal, state and local law enforcement officers in the areas of Crisis Management, Criminal Profiling, Hostage Negotiations, Psychology of the Criminal Mind, Forensic Crime Scene Analysis, Death Scene Investigation, Forensic Interviewing and Criminal Investigative Analysis.

Currently, he is the Director of the Wilmington University Criminal Justice Institute, which provides research, educational programs, professional development training, and consulting services required to assist the community in fighting and addressing the growing crime problems and public safety concerns. He is also an adjunct instructor at Drexel University, working in the Masters of Forensic Science and Criminalistics Program.

UPDATED 3/2/2021: Ray Carr, with veteran Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Joseph Slobodzian, has published 30 YEARS ON THE RUN: THE HUNT FOR THE MOST PROLIFIC BANK ROBBER IN HISTORY.

Via actual F.B.I. documents, the book details Carl Gugasian’s background, revealing the intimate discussions that helped Carr understand how the well-educated man chose a life of crime and circumvented law enforcement for decades.

Special Agent (Retired)

Ray Carr

4/3/1989 – 12/31/2014

Ray - NA Counselor
In 2012 Ray Carr served as a counselor for Class 249 at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are links to articles about the infamous hunt for an unknown Friday night serial bank robber, Carl Gugasian:

How two boys helped the FBI find the Freddie Krueger-loving ‘Friday Night Bank Robber’

Worlds Greatest Bank Robber

Carl Gugasian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 30 Years On The Run, Ray writes about the capture of a bank robber who evaded police for 30 years.
Ray in Swat Gear
Ray rappelling during training at Indiantown Gap, PA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray at Desk
Ray in the early years at his desk in the Squad 10 bullpen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Escorts Ellen Devers
Parental kidnapping suspect Ellen Dever surrenders to police, FBI (SA Ray Carr) and Customs agents.
Ray receiving award
SA Carr receiving an award from former Philadelphia Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Bob Conforti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jerri Williams

View posts by Jerri Williams
Jerri Williams, a retired FBI agent, author and podcaster, jokes that she writes about the FBI to relive her glory days. After 26 years with the Bureau specializing in major economic fraud and corruption investigations, she calls on her professional encounters with scams and schemers to write police procedurals inspired by true crime FBI cases in her Philadelphia FBI Corruption Squad crime fiction series featuring flawed female FBI agent Kari Wheeler. Jerri’s FBI for Armchair Detectives nonfiction series enables readers to discover who the FBI is and what the FBI does by debunking misconceptions about the FBI in books, TV, and movies. Her books are available as ebooks, paperbacks, and audiobooks wherever books are sold. She’s also the host of FBI Retired Case File Review, a true crime podcast with more than 300 episodes available on all popular podcast apps and YouTube.

8 Comments

  1. Bennett GarvinFebruary 4, 2020

    Just now catching up on the podcast; was Ray Carr’s book ever released? What is the name of it?

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsFebruary 4, 2020

      The book is complete, but not yet published. The last time I spoke to Ray, he said it would be published this spring. I’ll make sure to announce it on the podcast if it is. Thanks for listening. — Jerri

      Reply
      1. Brian AndersonSeptember 6, 2024

        Just started listening. Loving the podcast. Came here to find out about Ray’s book. Thank you for the update!

        Reply
        1. Jerri WilliamsSeptember 6, 2024

          Thanks for listening!

          Reply
  2. ArmenFebruary 20, 2016

    Ms. Williams,

    I recently found your podcast on my iPhone and have instantly become a fan. I congratulate you and wish you the best of luck with your show.

    I was interested in finding out the name of Mr. Carr’s book about the bank robbery case he spoke of on Episode 2. Can you please tell me if he has finished it yet, and what the name will be if you know? Thank you very much!

    Best Regards

    Reply
    1. Jerri WilliamsFebruary 20, 2016

      Thank you. I’m so glad you are enjoying the show. Ray Carr’s book is in the pre-publication stage and it will probably be a year before it is released and available for purchased. His Carl Gugasian case will make a great read. If you sign up for my quarterly newsletter, I will definitely write something about the book when it launches.

      Reply

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